Discuss names of RS candidates with MLAs: WBPCC writes to Sonia

West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC) has written to party chairperson Sonia Gandhi urging her to discuss the names of the Rajya Sabha candidates with the MLAs before taking any final decision.

Copies of the letter were given to Rahul Gandhi and other AICC general secretaries.

A meeting of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) was held in the Assembly House on Friday afternoon where WBPCC president Adhir Chowdhury was also present.

Later, Chowdhury told newsmen that the names of the Rajya Sabha members will have to be discussed with the MLAs and "we are not going to accept anyone who will be nominated by Delhi without talking to us."

Rajya Sabha election will be held in June. The Congress and CPI(M) can send one candidate and to do this they need each other's help.

Sitaram Yechury's term is going to end in June and the party wanted him to carry on and Yechury had met Rahul Gandhi in Delhi urging him to support him. CPI(M) Politburo had initially raised objection to Yechury's nomination for the third time on the ground that it was unprecedented for any party leader to get Rajya Sabha nomination for three consecutive terms. But later it changed its stand.

Political experts said Chowdhury's letter will give rise to a fresh controversy and the Congress high command's decision in the matter will be very crucial.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday gave Rs 2,000 to Pratima Rajak, Congress MLA from Baraon in Murshidabad to buy gifts for her marriage that will be held shortly. She also inquired about the health of Abdul Mannan and requested him to take care of his health.